Chapter 10: Home At Last
Ciara found herself playing a board game with Iroh, finding it distracting when he started talking to her. "Now, lady Ciara, do tell me something…" Iroh began, moving a piece, with a water symbol on it, forward. "…what do you think of my nephew." he continued, his gaze now falling on Ciara.
Ciara felt herself go slightly red by this question, "Um…well…he's a great guy…" Ciara felt completely stupid and flustered, 'he's a great guy?' Wow, that was a great comment. Go Ciara, whoopee…well it won't take long for Iroh to figure this one out.
Iroh noticed her face blushing with embarrassment, but he pretended to ignore it, "Also, one more thing…" He watched Ciara move a lotus tile forward, a smile crossed Iroh's face. I'm so glad I found a lotus tile at the marketplace…to bad Prince Zuko doesn't enjoy this game. Iroh leaned in closer to Ciara and asked in a serious tone, "Do you…like…Ginseng tea?" Ciara grinned and looked up at Iroh, "Yes, I love it."
Iroh beamed with pride and grabbed Ciara's hand, shaking it vigorously, "Welcome to the family." Ciara smiled weakly, seeing where his comment was going to. Iroh released Ciara's hand and got up, "I must go, Ciara. I have to do something very important, so if you will excuse me…" Ciara nodded eagerly, wanting Iroh to leave before her whole face turns another dark shade of red.
Iroh closed the door behind him, cheering happily, "Yippee! Ha!" He walked quickly toward Zuko's room, almost running into a guard. "So sorry, but if you may, will you bring two cups of tea to Prince Zuko's room?" The guard nodded, and walked away quickly from the laughing elder.
Zuko looked up to see his uncle beaming like a four-year-old child who just received a piece of candy for being a good child. "Uncle? Are you ok? How many cups of tea did you drink today? Uncle, tell me the truth." Zuko asked sternly, not wanting his uncle to pass out in room with all the 'tea-high' he was receiving. (Yes, instead of sugar-high, it is tea-high.)
Iroh laughed, "I told you! I told you this old fox still has his mojo! Ha, to bad we didn't bet. But I talked to her, and she seems to really have a liking for you." The guard came in, handing them each a cup of tea, Zuko nodded in thanks, to distracted to realize there was the very substance he hates in his hand. Iroh laughed and handed him his cup to Zuko, "Here you need it more than I do." Zuko growled with distaste and placed them on his desk, telling himself not to forget to dump this out.
Iroh was to happy and ignored Zuko's gesture. Iroh laughed again and dashed out of Zuko's room, "You here that, everyone! I'm going to have grandchildren!" Zuko growled with embarrassment, note to self: Dump all the tea we have in this ship overboard.